The Anti-Corruption Court has this evening acquitted the former Health Ministers in connection to the mismanagement of 1.6 billion shillings under Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI).
Chief Magistrate Irene Akankwasa acquitted Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi and Dr Alex Kamugisha of causing financial loss, abuse of office and embezzlement.
However, the court ordered Capt. Mike Mukula, a former health state minister, to defend himself by explaining the whereabouts of 210 million shillings that he received from the Gavi account for purposes of advocacy in the office of the First Lady.
Akankwasa explained that there was sufficient evidence adduced by the Inspectorate of Government that Capt. Mukula received the money from the Gavi fund account for purposes of promoting advocacy but only accounted for 53 million shillings.
Mukula, who was flanked by his wife Gladys and lawyer Fred Muwema, shortly after the ruling, said he was happy that the main charge of abuse of office had been dropped and that he was ready to explain the whereabouts of the money, adding that he returned the money to the Central Bank.
Capt. Mukula now faces only one charge of embezzlement after charges of abuse of office and causing financial loss were dropped due to lack of incriminating evidence.
Court has set September 7 for Mukula to start his defense.
His lawyer Muwema told court shortly after the ruling that his client will give his defense on oath.
While acquitting Maj. Gen Muhwezi and Dr Kamugisha, the Magistrate noted that the then accounting officer who was the permanent secretary of the ministry, Muhammed Kezaala, testified in court that he took personal responsibility of all the payments that were made regarding Gavi and that none of the former ministers had a hand in it.
A visibly jolly Muhwezi shortly after the ruling said he was happy that the truth had finally come out and has set him free.
The former health ministers have been facing charges of alleged theft, causing financial loss, uttering of false documents and embezzlement. They allegedly committed the offences between March 2004 and November 2005 while they served as ministers in the Health Ministry.
Alice Kaboyo, the former State House private Secretary in charge of political affairs and seminars, was facing similar charges but was fined 20 million shillings upon entering her own plea of guilty to two counts of abuse of office and making documents on behalf of her boss, Amelia Kyambadde, without authorisation. She paid the fine in June this year.
